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Help!....What Insulin Pump??????

N

nicolnee

Member
Messages
6
Hi,

I'm new to the site and new to forums in general.

I've been given the 'go ahead' from my specialist for an insulin pump. He's advised me to research all the pumps available and tell him which one I want.

I have been looking at pumps for days and I'm still unsure which one to choose!

I was hoping to gain some feedback on pumps everyone uses, positive and negative. I'd really appreciate any advice.

A bit about me.....

I've been an insulin dependent diabetic since I was 15, I'm 31 now. I'm a competitive horse rider in Eventing so I'm very active. I also like to socialise and go clubbing usually once a month. I'm an account Manager so regularly have to meet new people and conduct presentations. I'm having to consider pumps that will fit in with my lifestyle. I like the remote controlled pumps and anything that's small and easy to remove when I'm competing. Also something discreet to wear under tight clothing would be great. Anything that doesn't draw too much attention!!

My carb counting is going quite well and I mostly have 1 unit per 10g of carbs. However, I do need 2 units per 10g in the mornings. A machine that helps with my carb counting or contains examples of foods would really be useful. Also if the sugar testing was included in the machine, this would be great!

Am I expecting too much from a pump?
 
Welcome to the forum and big congratulations on getting the go ahead for your pump! Very exciting news. I don't think you are expecting too much. The pumps are very clever. I have one with the handset. The accu chec combo. You can work in time blocks with the pump. In your morning time block you can tell it you have 1u per 10g and in the evening you need 2u. You program it when you get it and then when you test your glucose with the handset, and tell it what carbs you are eating, the pump considers what yoyr glucose reading and correction ratios are along with what carb to insulin ratio you take at that time of day and hey presto it does all the maths!!

Most pumps are similar sizes I believe. I have never been unable to hide it. I wear jeans, I put it in my pocket, if I wear leggins, I wear it on a pump belt under my top an if I'm wearing a dress then I put it in my bra. (i put it in my pop sock under my wedding dress!!) I horse ride too and find my bra is the best place because I wouldn't want to fall and it be clipped to my waist line. It would hurt!

It might take some time getting used to it and what works best for you but I certainly love mine! Good luck choosing, do lots of research and find out what features you think would suit your lifestyle the most. And let us know how you get on!!!
 
That's great, thank you for the advice. I'll certainly have a look at the accu-check as it seems to pretty much do it all for you! It definitely ticks all the boxes on my checklist.

It's interesting to know where you hide the pump. I'm not sure I'll be able to hide it in my bra though, I'm not the most gifted in that area!

Does the NHS fund the belt pouch or is this self funded?

It's good to know you're also a horse rider. I find that my sugar levels rocket when I've been jumping or competing, into the 30's!, apparently this is due to the adrenalin. Do you get the same?
 

I'm not a horse rider, but it's no surprise that you get these types of levels, as yes adrenalin rush will rise the Bg's... I would say that even when competing you wouldn't need to take your pump off, as all you need to keep in mind is to place it in position that if you take a tumble it isn't going suffer a direct hit partly so it doesn hurt you

Another thing to consider is the actual screen? Sounds strange but I have the older Spirit pump (no wizards or remote) I lead a very out door live, but working with dogs and at times I find the text difficult to read in either low or bight light, as it's a two tone screen and the text is quite fine, adding that there is a lot of info on the display.. I know the new Combo is the same phyiscal pump spec that have just been up dated.. There is one pump that actually comes with a coloured display
 
Hi Jopar,

Thank you for your response and feedback, it's really appreciated. Sorry for the late response also, I've been on holiday and works has been manic!!!

I think I've narrowed it down to a couple of pumps I like the look of so I will post a new thread and see what everyone thinks of them.

Thanks again, the information was very useful.
 
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